Apple removes VPN apps from China App Store

Many VPN service providers have reported on Saturday that US tech giant Apple is removing their applications from the China App Store.

US tech giant Apple reportedly removes several VPN service applications from the China App Store. [Photo: VCG]

“We are writing to notify you that your application will be removed from the China App Store because it includes content that is illegal in China,” Apple said in an email directed to the providers citing the App Store’s legal review guidelines.

China has shut down many VPN services based in the country recently, but the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) emphasized that some businesses and individuals in China will still have access to VPN apps, namely the ones registered with authorities to run international telecommunication services. 

People in China have shared mixed feelings about the decision on social media. As many backed the effort to build a secure and regulatory cyber environment, some complained about limited Internet access.

"Our measures aim to better regulate the behavior of China's VPN market and they will only target unregistered businesses and individuals providing VPN services for cross-border use," Zhang Feng, Chief Engineer of the MIIT, said at a press conference.

Some VPN providers have spoken out about their dissatisfaction.

Apple's email to UK company ExpressVPN [Photo: CGTN]

UK-based ExpressVPN said in a statement on Saturday that it is "disappointed" in Apple's approach to following "the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date".

According to Apple, VPN apps will still be available in other countries and regions the providers selected.